My Science project!

[Zeede]

I trim the open end of the cello. That way it's just a sleeve to protect the wrapper.

[DrBob]

I am allowing a week per % in humidity drop, so a minimum of 7 weeks, so a bit more than a month, I based this on a rule of thumb found on this site and others, not sure of the impact of cellos on rate of humidity exchange.

[Zeede]

Many have said that cellophane breathes.

[DrBob]

So a little later than mid-July...

But the test is on! I waited a little longer to make sure all cigars are fully acclimated, and tonight the first pouch will be opened by my lovely assistant and the three test subjects will smoke and take notes (and photos) while being unaware of the humidity of the cigar until after all 4 tests are completed!

Stay tuned for first sample update tonight!

[Emperor Zurg]

[sweaterman]

I trim the open end of the cello. That way it's just a sleeve to protect the wrapper.

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[Zeede]

I can't wait!

[Puros Abroad]

Ooooh, this is something Ive been curious to try lately, as well.... Ill wait for your results, first

[DrBob]

Cigar #1 Humidity: ? (62% revealed after test)

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Nose: slight hint of hay and sweet tobacco

The Cigar does not appear oily at all, and is toothy. Cigar took a punch nicely and had an easy draw. cold draw was sweet and had a hint of hay.

First 1/3:

Initial taste was sweet with a slight hint of hay which quickly turned creamy with light leather and a noticeable sweetness. Cigar held a nice even burn throughout the first third and ashed at about 2 inches. The cigar produced large volumes of fragrant sweet smelling smoke, and towards the end of the first third settled nicely into light leather with an underlying sweetness.

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Second 1/3

Leather begins to intensify and occasional bursts of pepper begin to edge in. The cigar is still sweet and smokey. Ash again held for about 2 inches and sweet and spicy overtones continued with increasing leather and deepening flavors towards the end of the the second third.

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Last 1/3

Intensifying leather, more prominent pepper, and subtle sweetness hangs in though diminishing, towards the last inch some earthiness began to creep in. I reluctantly nubbed the cigar at 1 hour and 21 minutes, which is fast for me.

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Overall notes:

The cigar had a firm white ash which required minimal work to keep on the cigar. I had no relights and smoked the cigar at a faster than normal rate. I found the cigar to have decent complexity, excellent burn, and overall it burned perhaps a bit hotter than I normally prefer. I often have to double puff, and relight cigars, and this one I could easily get all the smoke and keep it burning with single big puffs.

[DrBob]

Cigar #2 Humidity: ? 69% revealed after test

So we smoked the first one, ate dinner, and decided our palates were good for another go. So we went at Cigar #2 later the same day.

Nose: Hay and Tobacco

The Cigar has a slight oily sheen, no noticeable toothiness, and while it took a punch nicely, had a very firm draw. Sweet hay dominated the pre-light taste.

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First 1/3:

An initial ephemeral burst of slightly sour creaminess. Twang?! Well maybe not exactly but very quickly settled into a just creamy. Medium volume of smoke, and a nice even burn, Some bursts of early pepper under a dominantly mild leather and sweet tobacco flavor. Initial one third seems a bit simple in flavor, whitish grey ash held well for about 2 inches.

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Second 1/3

Mild leather and more frequent bursts of pepper in the second third. Decent smoke volume, and diminishing sweetness as the leather intensifies through the second third. Some wrapper issues kick in, primarily from a bit of swelling of the cigar behind the burn line. The cigar remains enjoyable and the wrapper issues don't seem to affect the cigars burn other than in appearance.

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Last 1/3

Leathery and peppery, minor hints of sweetness on the occasional puff. At about the last 2 inches earthiness begins to creep in and draw becomes a bit tighter, though still producing good volumes of smoke. More frequent double puffing to keep cigar lit, and the wrapper continues minor failure due to swelling. Finally let it go at 1 hour and 32 minutes.

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Overall notes:

Firm grey/white ash which would hold for about 2 inches. Cigar was noticeably firm to draw throughout, and starting at mid cigar began to have minor swelling and some cracking of the wrapper. The cigar did require more work to keep going and producing smoke, with more frequent double puffs towards the nub. If I had not been taking notes and focusing on the cigar I would certainly have needed a relight or two.